Fingernails can tell a lot about a person and also have an important function: with their help, we can pick up the smallest objects or scratch an itchy spot. In addition, the horny tissue of the nails protects the sensitive ends of the fingers. Well-groomed, healthy fingernails are a calling card. They look pink, are undamaged, free of dirt and grow normally in the furrows. But what do nail changes like streaks and furrows mean? Find out what your fingernails reveal about your health here.
Changes in the nails as a sign of illness
Changes in the nail and also in the nail bed are considered critical not only because of their appearance. Some are harmless, but others can indicate nail diseases or serious health disorders and should be evaluated by a specialist – in most cases, the dermatologist can help.
Allergic reactions to nail polish, nail glue for artificial nails or other nail products can also lead to deformation and discoloration of the nails.
Recognize nail diseases from pictures
White spots and streaks
White spots (leukonychia punctata) and streaks (mees streaks) in the fingernail can be a sign of vitamin or mineral deficiency. More often, however, they are the result of a manicure that was a little too “rough”, injuring the nail root, or they occur when some air is trapped in the nail during waxing.
However, Mees streaks can also be the sign of poisoning, febrile illness, burning of the back of the hand, or X-ray radiation.
Discoloration of the entire fingernails
In the case of discoloration of the entire nail, many causes can be considered, for example:
- The handling of chemical substances, detergents and cleaning agents.
- Nail polish
- Taking medication
- Vitamin deficiency
But also metabolic disorders, chronic skin diseases, heart and kidney damage or poisoning can lead to complete discoloration of the nails.
What the color of the fingernails means
The type of discoloration can provide a clue to the cause:
- Black discoloration is only caused by nail bed hematomas – bruising after being hit with a hammer or bruised. They grow out over time.
- With brownish or blue-black spots, a birthmark (pigment cell nevus) or a melanoma (skin cancer) could be behind it. This should definitely be clarified by a doctor.
- Yellow discoloration indicate liver disease or jaundice, greenish discoloration on mold or bacterial infestation.
Deformations of the fingernails
The type of grooves on a fingernail also reveals something about its health. Fine, regular longitudinal grooves are usually harmless and may be a sign of dehydration: drink more!
Transverse grooves, so-called “beau reil grooves”, can occur with all serious illnesses, for example acute infections, heart disease or as a result of chemotherapy.
Upwardly curved nails (watch glass nails) can be an indication of liver and lung diseases or anemia, inwardly curved “spoon nails” for gastrointestinal disorders, thickened and curved “claw nails” for circulatory disorders.
